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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum

Hydo tractors

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 05:00:05

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I see quite a few hydros at the auctions. I suspect there is a good reason for that. Generaly they are bad.
I may buy one one of these times to get the motor out of it. But was wondering if rebuilding a hydro is some thing a guy like me could do?
I dont really know how they work, but that has never stopped me from tearing into any thing before.

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wolfmantractor

03-16-2005 17:46:18

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

So why not heavy tillage? Large dozers are hydro.

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kopeck

03-16-2005 10:55:41

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

I haven't driven any IH hydros (well, my 169 is a hydro, but that's not really going to help here) but our new tractor is a hydro and it's great. I didn't think I would like it, but after using it for loader work I have to say it the best thing going...

I'm going to try mowing with it this year and I bet I'm going to like it.

If the big IH tractors are like the small ones (like my Cub Cadet) then the hydro units are almost bullet proof.

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Chadd

03-16-2005 08:49:45

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

Just thought that I would say that they are one of the most if not the handiest tractors ever made. We owned a Farmall 656 Hydro from 1980 to 1995. It spent hours at a time out in the field during hay season (limited by the size of its gas tank as it was a gas). It was one of the only tractors my mother and my sister felt comfortable driving. It never had the Hydro rebuilt in that time (3 engine rebuilds though), and was one of the handiest tractors on the farm. I will just say that I wouldn't buy one for tillage, it really wears them down. Also, be sure to change the fluid yearly, every 2 years at least, otherwise it will shorten its life drastically. Sorry for the long post, but I want to say something good about the Hydro, since so much negative stuff is out there about them.

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nate s

03-16-2005 05:57:48

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

kelly,
my brother in law bought a 656 d hydro last year that wouldnt move. i dragged him home with my 706.we got it home and couldnt get presure anywhere, no whines. anyhow we splitt it, took the hydro to hoober in intercourse pa. had it completely rebuilt, and it was about 3300 dollars. turns out, the relief valve had a piece of dirt holding it up, so thats why there was no presure. the idea of how they work seems simple enough,although ive heard keeping all the o rings straight in the rebuild kit can be the hardest part of all. i see from some of your posts and you site that you do alot of hay, like we do. that hydro is awesome for haying, as you can imagine. you just dont want to do serious tillage or pulling with a hydro. my grandad bought a 656d hydro new, it is now on its third rebuild. but for the first 25 years of its life it was the big horse on the farm. But comparing all the work it has done to the amount of money put in it, grampa says it was one of his best investments. sorry for the long post, but dont be afraid of em.
nate

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 06:04:16

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to nate s, 03-16-2005 05:57:48

Thats fine Nate. I need info so longer the better.

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bermuda ken

03-16-2005 05:51:27

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

Unless you have been in a hydro before or have specialized training on them, stay out them!!

The internal components of the hydro are precision machined to the 1 millionth of an inch. No set of feeler gauges or "eyeballing" it will help you. Disassembly and re-assembly need to be done in a CLEAN area.

You could try fixing a hydro by yourself, but very few people have the correct tools to accurately (and correctly) fix them with.

Hydro tractors, when cared for properly will out work any power shift/shuttle tractor in any farming operation, except heavy tillage.

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 06:02:12

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to bermuda ken, 03-16-2005 05:51:27

Thanks Ken.
Do most IH shops rebuild thier hydros them selfs or do they just R&R components?
I would imagine it would be a significant cost savings to bring in a component for rebuild rather than having the shop split the tractor?

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Andrew Z

03-16-2005 05:44:52

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

I rerember a few summers ago I worked on a 544 and the hydro was shot. We sent it out to be repaired. It was just to much for us to take on. but i'm sure its possible to do it yourself. Andrew

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 05:45:49

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Andrew Z , 03-16-2005 05:44:52

What did it cost to repair the hydro?

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Allan in NE

03-16-2005 05:27:48

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:00:05

Mornin' Kelly,

'Bout a thousand years ago, I went to work in a big Chevy garage in Omaha. There was an old boy there that had to be in his eighties who they kept around for his "brain".

I'll never forget what he told me one day, "It's just iron, that's all it is. It's just iron."

Allan

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 05:47:33

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Allan in NE, 03-16-2005 05:27:48

Yea but there is all these wheels, cogs, valves and gizmos in there.
Is there any good manuals that show hydro repair?
Blue ribbon service and the like?

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Allan in NE

03-16-2005 05:56:07

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Kelly C, 03-16-2005 05:47:33

Kelly,

It is all in the IT manual, but I would liken it to somewhat like the first time you ever dive into an automatic transmission.

Might be better if you had someone close who can do a bit of coaching.

Local shop here charges $2500 if you take the unit out of the tractor.

Allan

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Kelly C

03-16-2005 06:05:59

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Re: Hydo tractors in reply to Allan in NE, 03-16-2005 05:56:07

$2500 wouldnt be bad if the rest of the tractor is good condition and got if for a good price.

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